Training gear, ceremony kits missing: Indian boxers hit by luggage chaos at CWG 2026

Indian boxers have faced a major logistical hurdle just days before the start of the 2026 Commonwealth Games, as nearly half of their luggage went missing during a flight from Belfast to Glasgow. The 22-member team, which had completed a training camp in Belfast, arrived in Glasgow on Tuesday but found several bags left behind, depriving them of crucial training gear and ceremonial attire needed for the opening ceremony on Thursday. Boxers such as Sakshi Chaudhary, Jaismine Lamboria, Parveen Hooda, Jadumini Singh, Kapil Pokhariya, and men's head coach C. Kuttappa were among those affected. According to team members, the small aircraft used for the Belfast-Glasgow route resulted in some baggage being left behind. The missing items include essential training equipment and the formal outfits required for the opening ceremony. With the competition set to begin on Friday, the team is now waiting for the lost luggage to arrive so they can continue preparing for the games without further disruptions. This incident marks the second time the team has encountered baggage issues during their travels. Earlier this month, a similar problem occurred while the team was flying from Doha to Belfast for their training camp. In addition to the luggage mishap, the team has also dealt with another logistical challenge, women's coach was reportedly not housed in the same hotel as the rest of the squad. These setbacks have added to the stress of the team as they prepare for what promises to be a competitive campaign. Despite these challenges, the Indian boxing contingent remains optimistic about their prospects at the Glasgow Games. India is entering the Commonwealth Games with high hopes, led by a strong squad featuring both men's and women's teams. The women's side includes Olympic bronze medallist Lovlina Borgohain, world number one Jaismine Lamboria, Asian Games bronze medallist Preeti Pawar, and World Cup gold medallist Arundhati Chaudhary, all of whom achieved podium finishes at this year's Asian Championships. On the men's side, Sachin Siwach and Narender Berwal are expected to play key roles in India's medal bid, having performed well at the continental level. At the last Commonwealth Games, Indian boxers secured seven medals, including three golds and one silver, and the current team aims to build upon that success. Indian boxing icon MC Mary Kom has voiced her support for the team, expressing belief in their ability to bring home multiple medals. She acknowledged, however, that a sweep of gold medals might be unrealistic. “We will win medals but I don’t expect gold,” she stated in an interview. “If it comes, I will be happy.” The six-time world champion and Olympic bronze medallist emphasized the importance of competing in the gold medal bouts at the Commonwealth Games. Representing India carries a heavy responsibility, she noted, and the current athletes must balance personal ambition with national pride. “It’s not easy to represent India,” she said. “They are all getting responsibility, not just to participate. They will also think about coming back with medals for the country.” Mary Kom also raised concerns about the administrative structure of Indian boxing, questioning recent selection processes and the lack of communication between the Boxing Federation of India and past champions. Her comments highlight the ongoing challenges facing the sport in the country, even as the current team prepares to compete under pressure. While the logistics issues remain unresolved, the focus remains on the upcoming competition, where the boxers hope to deliver results that match the nation's expectations.